Economic Activities Generated by CWU Have a Major Impact on Local Community and the State

ELLENSBURG, Wash. -Central Washington University's economic and cultural impacts on its local communities and the state of Washington are detailed in a report recently published by CWU.

For fiscal year 2006, CWU generated in excess of $370 million in economic impact statewide with more that two-thirds of the total - $251 million - occurring in Kittitas County. Statewide, Central generated 3,758 full- and part-time jobs and $170 million in personal income.

Conducted by ECONorthwest out of Portland, Ore., the study is based on data from fiscal year 2005-06, which is the last year for which the full complement of data was available.

After reviewing the data, it's clear that Central makes a significant economic and cultural impact on the community and the entire state.

"Central's economic impact is enhanced through research contributions and public service by our students, faculty, and staff," says CWU President Jerilyn S. McIntyre. "The hundreds of cultural events held each year on our campus also play a vital role in enriching the lives of our students and local, regional and statewide residents."

Central, the largest employer in Kittitas County, employed 1,481 workers at its Ellensburg campus. They received more than $82 million in personal income, and their spending generated another $17.6 million in personal income in the county.

Enrollment at Central's campus in Ellensburg equaled 8,107 students in 2006, an increase of 24 percent over a five-year period. That's great news for the state because a graduate's lifetime earning power is greatly improved by earning a degree. On average, a person with a bachelor's degree working in the state of Washington will earn $17,500 more per year than a person with a high school diploma and no bachelor's degree. That equals approximately $1.5 billion more over the course of their lifetime and $382.1 million in taxes and fees paid to state and local governments for those entering CWU in 2006 and earning a bachelor's degree.

A summary of the study can be reviewed at www.cwu.edu/president/eis/cwu-econ-impact-fy06.pdf.

Contact:Teri Olin, CWU Public Relations & Marketing, 509-963-1416, olint@cwu.edu